Movable wall partition including shelf or similar object supporting brackets

ABSTRACT

A movable wall partition which includes a panel having a spacer strip overlying one end edge of the panel. A retainer member which constitutes a part of the wall partition overlies the spacer strip. The end edge of the panel over which the spacer strip lies has an opening formed therein into which the lip of a bracket support is fitted. Biasing means connect the panel and retainer member and serve to retain the spacer strip in a compressed state between the panel and retainer member with the support bracket being locked in a supporting position.

United States Patent Hogue 1 1 Sept. 30, 1975 [54] MOVABLE WALLPARTITION INCLUDING 3,714,748 2/1973 Costruba 52/36 S E O SIMILAR OBJECTSUPPORTING 3,730,468 5/1973 Magnusen 211/)148 BRACKETS 3,871,144 3/1975Rudm 5../36

[75] Inventor: Norman E. Hogue, Niles, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Packard Industries, Inc., Niles,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 530,062

[52] U.S. Cl. 52/36; 211/134; 211/148; 248/243 [51] Int. Cl. E04B 2/82[58] Field of Search 52/36, 238, 241, 243, 481, 52/720, 729-732;248/218, 221, 240, 243; 211/134,148; 108/108 [56] References Cited IUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,517,467 6/1970 Propst et al 52/36 PrimaryExaminer.]. Karl Bell Attorney, Agent, or FirmOltsch & Knoblock [5 7ABSTRACT A movable wall partition which includes a panel having a spacerstrip overlying one end edge of the panel. A retainer member whichconstitutes a part of the wall partition overlies the spacer strip. Theend edge of the panel over which the spacer strip lies has an openingformed therein into which the lip of a bracket support is fitted.Biasing means connect the panel and retainer member and serve to retainthe spacer strip in a compressed state between the panel and retainermember with the support bracket being locked in a supporting position.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of4 3,908,320

Sept. 30,1975

U.S. Patent US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,908,320

MOVABLE WALL PARTITION INCLUDING SHELF OR SIMILAR OBJECT SUPPORTINGBRACKETS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a wallpartition and has specific application to a removable wall panel whichincludes object supporting brackets.

The wall partition of this invention includes a panel having oppositelyspaced side faces and vertical end edges. At least one of the end edgesof the panel has a vertically aligned opening formed therein. A spacerstrip overlies the panel at its end edge having the vertically alignedopening therein. A retainer member, which may constitute another panelforming a continuation of the partition, overlies the spacer strip. Ayieldable biasing means serves to connect the panel and retainer membertogether and causes the spacer strip to be compressed between the paneland retainer member. One or more support brackets are fitted into thevertically aligned opening in the panel end edge by causing the retainermember to be temporarily sprung away from the panel. The supportbrackets are supported by either the spacer strip or panel end edge toallow shelving, filing cabinets, desk tops, storage bins, blackboards,and even articles of clothing to be carried or hung upon the brackets.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a wallpartition which is movable and which includes selectively positionedbrackets for supporting shelving and similar items.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wall partition whichcan be assembled in a simple and rapid manner with ordinary hand toolsand which includes variably located object supporting brackets.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a wall partitionwhich is of pleasing design and appearance and which includes means forsupporting various objects, such as shelving, desk tops, filing cabinetsand tubs, storage bins and articles of clothing.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading ofthe inventions description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thepartition of this invention shown in its assembled form.

FIG. 2 is a view of one embodiment of the partition of this inventionshowing the component parts thereof in exploded form.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view in the horizontal planeshowing component parts of the partition embodiment of FIG. 2 inassembled form.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view in the horizontal planealso showing component parts of the partition embodiment of FIG. 2 inassembled form.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of the partition ofthis invention showing the component parts thereof in exploded form.

FIGS. 6-8 are sequential cross sectional views showing a support bracketbeing attached to the partition of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view in the vertical plane showing thepartition in FIG. 5 in assembled form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodimentsillustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described in orderto best explain the principles of the invention and its application andpractical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the invention.

In FIG. I partition 5 is shown in its assembled form and includes joinedpanels 10 supported by vertical tubular posts 12 having attached feet14. It is to be understood that depending upon the length and locationof panels 10 not all posts 12 need to extend to the floor and carry feet14. Forming a part of the partition are support brackets 16 which mayassume a variety of configurations and which are utilized to supportsuch objects as shelves l8. Depending upon their use, brackets 16 mayextend outwardly from both sides of panels 10, as illustrated in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4, or from only one side of the panels, asillustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 59.

Referring first to the embodiment of the partition shown in FIGS. 59,panels 10 each include side faces 20 which may be in the form ofsheeting. Side faces 20 are joined at the vertical end edges of eachpanel by C- shaped channel parts 22. Each channel part 22 preferablyextends the full height of its panel 10 and forms an elongatedvertically oriented opening 24 at the edge of the panel. A plurality ofvertically spaced spring biased attachment screws 26 (only one shown)are carried by each channel part 22 and extend from near the top to nearthe bottom of the panel 10. Each screw 26 has an enlarged tapered head28 and a threaded shank 30. Shank 30 of each screw extends through anopening in the web 32 of the channel part and is turned into ashouldered nut 34. Nut 34 is retained slidably within a U-shaped bracket36 which is secured to web 32 of the channel part. A helical spring 38is positioned within bracket 36 and has one end abutting channel partweb 32 and its opposite end abutting the shoulder of nut 34 so as tocause screw 26 to be normally urged toward opening 24 in the channelpart.

Each tubular post 12 has a plurality of keyhole slots 40 formed in itsside walls at selected spaced intervals corresponding to the spacingbetween screws 26 carried by panels 10. In assembling posts 12 to panels10 the heads 28 of screws 26 are fitted into the enlarged openings inslots 40 and either the panel urged downwardly or the posts urgedupwardly to cause the tapered base portion 29 of each screw head tobecome wedged within the narrow portion of its corresponding slot 40 anda compression of the spring 38 associated with the screw. Thiscompression of springs 38 causes the screw heads 28 to draw the posts 12and panels 10 together.

Between each post 12 and connected panel 10 is a spacer member 42. Eachspacer member 42 (only one shown) is of a strip like configurationhaving end edges 44 which are interrupted by oppositely located slots46. Slots 46 are selectively spaced apart along the longitudinaldimension of the spacer member 42. Each slot 46 has an upper shoulder 48and a lower shoulder 50. Each spacer member 42 also has a plurality ofopenings 52 formed in it. Openings 52 are spaced apart along thelongitudinal dimension of the spacer member and correspond in locationto the spacing between screws 26 carried by panels 10. Screws 26 alongthe panel side edge extend through openings 52 in a spacer member 42 andserve when interlocked within slots 40 of a post 12 to draw the posttoward the panel end edge and to compresss the spacer member between thepost and panel, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The manner in which support brackets 16 are connected to the. partitionwill now be described. Each bracket 16, regardless of exteriorconfiguration and use, will include a flange part 54 which terminates ina right angular formed lip 56. The thickness of each bracket 16 at itslip 56 is preferably slightly less than the thickness of spacer members42. Each bracket 16 is attached by being positioned with its flangegenerally paralleling a side face 20 of a panel and with its lip 56fitted between the panel and attached post 12 and into a selected slot46 in the spacer member, as shown in FIG. 6. The spacing betweenshoulders 48 and 50 of the slot exceeds the length of bracket lip 56. Atthis time spacer member 42 remains compressed between panel 10 and post12. The bracket is then pivoted outwardly as illustrated by arrow 60 inFIG. 7, causing panel 10 and post 12 to be wedged apart in conjunctionwith the compressive yielding of springs 38 surrounding the screws 26carried by the panel. As bracket 16 is pivoted into a generallyperpendicular position relative to panel 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8,its lip 56 slips into opening 24 in channel part 22 and becomes fittedinto the channel part, and springs 38 cause spacer member 42 to becompressed between the post 12 and the panel 10. The lower edge 58 ofbracket 16 rests upon lower shoulder 50 of the spacer member and in thismanner is supported in a fixed vertical location. The depth of each slot46 in spacer member 42 as measured between its outer edge 59 and itsbase 62 is such that, with the spacer member overlying opening 24 inchannel part 22, base 62 will be located between the edges of opening 24to allow lip 56 of each bracket 16 to pass between the slot base andadjacent edge of the channel part as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 when thebracket is swung into its outwardly extending position.

In FIGS. 2-4 a modified embodiment of the partition of this invention isshown. In this embodiment each panel 10 has its faces joined by an endedge strip 70 which has a plurality of rectangularly shaped, verticallyspaced openings 72 formed therein for the purpose of accommodating lips56 of brackets 16. The biasing means 74 which serves to join post 12 andpanel 10 with compressed spacer member 42 therebetween is of asimplified pin construction having an enlarged tapered head 76 and ashank 78 which terminates in an annular flange 80. Helical spring 82surrounds shank 78 and is compressed between flange 80 of the shank andend edge strip 70. During assembly head 76 of biasing means 74 extendsthrough opening 52 in spacer member 42 and is fitted within the reducedportion of key-hole slot in post 12. Spacer member 42 includes slots 46and the manner of assembling brackets 16 with flanges 54 and lip 56 isthe same as that previously described for the embodiment shown in FIGS.59.

In each of the embodiments above described and illustrated, spacermember 42 serves as a means of permitting brackets 16 to be selectivelypositioned between posts 12 and panels 10. Additionally, each spacermember 42 serves as a decor strip improving the aesthetic appearance ofthe assembled partition. In FIGS. 5-9 bracket 16 is supported in itsselected vertical position by contact with a lower shoulder of a spacermember 42. In FIGS. 24, each bracket 16 is supported in its selectedvertical position by contacting either spacer member 42 at its shoulder50 or the lower edge 82 of opening 72 in the panel. Bracket 16 can bedisconnected from the assembled partition by swinging the bracketinwardly toward panel 10 in a manner which reverses the operativeprocedure in attaching the bracket to the partition. The location ofslots 46 in the spacer members 42 determines the selective position ofbrackets 16.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedetails above given but may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. A wall partition comprising a panel having first and secondoppositely spaced side faces and vertical end edges at which said sidefaces terminate, said panel having at least one vertically alignedopening formed in one of its end edges, a vertical spacer member havingopposite sides terminating in marginal edges, said spacer member at oneof its sides overlying said panel one end edge, retainer means extendingthe length of said spacer member and overlying the other side of thespacer member, yieldable biasing means connecting said panel andretainer means for causing said spacer member to be compressed betweensaid retainer means and panel at its one end edge, a shelf or similarobject supporting bracket, said bracket including a flange terminatingin a generally right angular lip means having a lower edge, said bracketlip means fitted into a said panel opening, said bracket having anassembly position in which said bracket flange generally parallels saidone of said panel faces with its lip means fitted between said panel oneend edge and retainer means, said bracket being shiftable from itsassembly position into a supporting position in which the bracket flangeextends outwardly from said one panel face and said lip projects intosaid panel end edge opening with said bracket being supported by one ofsaid spacer member and panel, said biasing means yieldably permittingseparation of said retainer means from said panel as said bracket isshifted from its assembly position into its support position.

2. A wall partition comprising a panel having first and secondoppositely spaced side faces and vertical end edges at which said sidefaces terminate, said panel having at least one vertically alignedopening formed in one of its end edges, a vertical spacer member havingopposite sides terminating in marginal edges, said spacer member at oneof its sides overlying said panel one end edge, retainer means extendingthe length of said spacer member and overlying the other side of thespacer member, said spacer member having notch means formed in one ofits marginal edges, said notch means having upper and lower spacedshoulders and extending transversely into said spacer member to a depthallowing communication of the notch means with a said opening in saidpanel one end edge, yieldable biasing means connecting said panel andretainer member for causing said spacer member to be compressed betweensaid retainer means and panel at its one end edge, a shelf or similarobject supporting bracket, said bracket including a flange terminatingin a generally right angular lip means having a lower edge, said brackethaving an assembly position in which said bracket flange generallyparallels said panel first face with the lip means thereof extendinginto said notch means, said bracket being shiftable from its assemblyposition into a support position in which said bracket flange extendsoutwardly from said panel first face and 4. The partition of claim 2wherein said biasing means includes an elongated securement memberhaving an enlarged head at one end, said securement member extendingthrough said spacer member and having its head anchored to said retainermeans, the opposite end of said securement member being anchored to saidpanel, spring means associated with said securement member opposite endfor urging said securement member head toward said panel one end edge.

1. A wall partition comprising a panel having first and secondoppositely spaced side faces and vertical end edges at which said sidefaces terminate, said panel having at least one verticaLly alignedopening formed in one of its end edges, a vertical spacer member havingopposite sides terminating in marginal edges, said spacer member at oneof its sides overlying said panel one end edge, retainer means extendingthe length of said spacer member and overlying the other side of thespacer member, yieldable biasing means connecting said panel andretainer means for causing said spacer member to be compressed betweensaid retainer means and panel at its one end edge, a shelf or similarobject supporting bracket, said bracket including a flange terminatingin a generally right angular lip means having a lower edge, said bracketlip means fitted into a said panel opening, said bracket having anassembly position in which said bracket flange generally parallels saidone of said panel faces with its lip means fitted between said panel oneend edge and retainer means, said bracket being shiftable from itsassembly position into a supporting position in which the bracket flangeextends outwardly from said one panel face and said lip projects intosaid panel end edge opening with said bracket being supported by one ofsaid spacer member and panel, said biasing means yieldably permittingseparation of said retainer means from said panel as said bracket isshifted from its assembly position into its support position.
 2. A wallpartition comprising a panel having first and second oppositely spacedside faces and vertical end edges at which said side faces terminate,said panel having at least one vertically aligned opening formed in oneof its end edges, a vertical spacer member having opposite sidesterminating in marginal edges, said spacer member at one of its sidesoverlying said panel one end edge, retainer means extending the lengthof said spacer member and overlying the other side of the spacer member,said spacer member having notch means formed in one of its marginaledges, said notch means having upper and lower spaced shoulders andextending transversely into said spacer member to a depth allowingcommunication of the notch means with a said opening in said panel oneend edge, yieldable biasing means connecting said panel and retainermember for causing said spacer member to be compressed between saidretainer means and panel at its one end edge, a shelf or similar objectsupporting bracket, said bracket including a flange terminating in agenerally right angular lip means having a lower edge, said brackethaving an assembly position in which said bracket flange generallyparallels said panel first face with the lip means thereof extendinginto said notch means, said bracket being shiftable from its assemblyposition into a support position in which said bracket flange extendsoutwardly from said panel first face and said bracket lip means projectsinto said panel end edge opening with the lower edge of the lip meansresting upon the lower shoulder of said notch means and being supportedthereby, said biasing means yieldably permitting separation of saidretainer means and panel as said bracket is shifted from its assemblyposition into its support position.
 3. The partition of claim 2 whereinthe thickness of said spacer member as measured between its oppositesides is at least equal to the thickness of said bracket flange where itterminates into said lip means.
 4. The partition of claim 2 wherein saidbiasing means includes an elongated securement member having an enlargedhead at one end, said securement member extending through said spacermember and having its head anchored to said retainer means, the oppositeend of said securement member being anchored to said panel, spring meansassociated with said securement member opposite end for urging saidsecurement member head toward said panel one end edge.